Epidemiology and Programs Manager
Scope of Work
Epidemiology and Programs Manager will directly supervise up to five staff who are responsible for the delivery of LGBTQ+ Youth Prevention programs focused on substance use/misuse/abuse; mental health; and sexual and teen dating violence. This role will conduct epidemiological investigations, conduct focus groups, serve as a technical expert for the program and community stakeholders, describe the determinants of health and youth substance use/misuse/abuse community impact, incidence, and prevalence of disease, make recommendations regarding allocation of resources and program design based on epidemiological evidence, and develops the means for prevention and control of the spread of substance misuse.
The Epidemiology and Programs Manager will also coordinate and collaborate evaluation activities such as survey instrument development, data analysis and reporting with the project evaluator to strengthen prevention capacity and enhance the existing prevention infrastructure. They will partner with other departments within SAAF to enhance data sharing and analyzing throughout the organization. The Epidemiology and Programs Manager is a full-time, exempt position. The ratio of work distribution for this role would be approximately 60% management and 40% epidemiologist. The individual hired must be able to work very flexible hours, including evenings, late nights, weekends, and some holidays. Reports to Associate Director of LGBTQ+ Program Services. Position duties include but are not limited to:
Functional Responsibilities
Day-to-day Program Management:
- Hires, supervises, trains, and evaluates youth prevention program staff, volunteers, and interns.
- Maintains communication and meets with contracted evaluators at least once a month.
- Drives implementation of evidence-based interventions that promote positive life skills development and provide substance misuse, mental health, and healthy relationship prevention education to youth ages 12-24.
- Manages and trains Youth Prevention Team ensuring they are delivering effective programming to the community.
- Engage with schools and partners to build, support and maintain relationships where staff provide demonstrations.
- Coordinates with Youth Prevention Staff and partners for quarterly scheduling of program delivery.
- Maintains compliance and fidelity to data collection and reporting for program delivery.
- Collaborates with staff and Associate Director of LGBTQ+ Program Services on the development of targeted risk reduction social marketing and/or social media campaigns.
- Works with the Associate Director of LGBTQ+ Program Services and other SAAF leadership to research appropriate conference presenting opportunities, build templates for, and contribute to data to be presented at conferences.
- Attends all program, agency, and department meetings at SAAF as directed.
- Works collaboratively within the Prevention and Care Services Departments, including but not limited to covering shifts for HIV/HCV testing, Eon Lounge, Community Education Presentations, Syringe Access, and/or assisting with unloading food pantry items, programmatic support, etc.
- Work as a team member with other SAAF staff supporting all youth projects as needed.
Day-to-day Epidemiological Management:
- Plans, designs, and conducts original epidemiologic studies related to determinants of health and youth prevention for the LGBTQ+ Department.
- Analyzes and interprets findings; makes recommendations to management regarding the impact of studies on current programs and evaluates the impact current programs are having on community health indicators.
- Investigates potential environmental factors relating to substance misuse or other health problems and provides assessments and recommends intervention controls to management.
- Prepares educational materials with data highlights for public distribution. Prepares information for publication in an annual health status report.
- Partners with SAAF Quality Assurance team to incorporate data from other services throughout the organization and compile internal and external presentations on findings/trends, develop resource guides and referral tracking systems.
Administrative:
- Oversees the administration of evaluation tools with participants at baseline, exit, and follow-up.
- Collects and maintains all data (electronic and hard copy) and record-keeping system(s) on a weekly basis.
- Ensures accurate program data collection and timely reporting for funding sources.
- Drafts monthly, quarterly, and annual grant reports for all grant, foundation, or donor sources that support the programming.
- Assists with writing project proposals for state, federal, and private funding.
- Manages the spending and supports the planning in collaboration with the Associate Director of LGBTQ+ Programs for the program grant budgets as well as donation/foundation budgets.
Community Engagement and Partnerships:
- Provides consultation to contractors, staff, and coalition members on epidemiologic methodology, design, and results.
- Participates in community outreach to other agencies or services that serve high-risk, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized communities.
- Provides timely and thorough customer service to the youth, community, and partners by returning voicemail, email, and in-person inquiries to the services offered by youth prevention programming.
- Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with health professionals in the community such as physicians, nurses, laboratory staff, and representatives of other agencies.
- Makes technical and informational presentations to professionals and the public.
- Serve as a representative from SAAF for community events and committees.
Minimum Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in biology, microbiology, public health, medical anthropology, nursing or a related scientific or social science field; or five (5) years of experience working directly in the behavioral health field; or a combination of education and work experience.
- Knowledge and experience in theory, practice, and application of epidemiologic methodologies including design and evaluation of epidemiologic research; scientific and technical report writing techniques and methods.
- Knowledge of evidence-based substance abuse prevention strategies, mental health, suicide prevention, and sexual violence education and prevention programs, including risk and protective factors, effective prevention approaches, and factors contributing to program success or failure.
- Understanding of community-based evaluation.
- Experience working with diverse and complex cultures including LGBTQ+ youth, youth of color, and other at-risk youth and programming.
- Ability to exercise and demonstrate compassion and non-judgment when working with program participants.
- Good interpersonal skills; demonstrated sensitivity to cultural and personal diversity.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and organizational skills.
- Appropriate fingerprint clearance through the Arizona Department of Public Safety (paid for by SAAF if not current).
- Access to a reliable vehicle, a valid AZ Driver’s License and a driving record that will be supported by our liability insurance provider.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in epidemiology, public health, or closely related field, or ten (10) years of experience working directly in the behavioral health field.
- Minimum of (2) years’ experience working with social, environmental, and/or economic determinants of health.
- Previous work experience with youth and/or previous experience with group facilitation and curriculum delivery.
- Familiarity with social and environmental factors that can contribute to substance use, how substance use can lead to acquiring STI’s and/or HIV, and strategies to address these factors through prevention programs.
- Understanding of the importance of cultural relevance and stakeholder engagement in substance abuse prevention mental health, suicide prevention, and sexual violence education and prevention programs.
- Ability to tailor youth prevention programs to the specific needs and contexts of the target population.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish)
Compensation
Salary ranges from $51,801 – $57,040 DOE. FLSA Status: Exempt
Benefits
Health, dental, vision, and life insurance; 401(k) with matching, long-term, and short-term disability insurance. 12 paid holidays per year, 4 weeks of PTO per year to start in addition to 40 hours of sick leave. Access to SAAF’s on-site clinic, SAAF Health, for primary care needs.
To Apply
Submit a letter of interest and resume with dates of employment to:
Yvette Bass, Recruiting & Retention
Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation
375 S Euclid Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85719
or email hr@saaf.org or use the form below.
Affirmative Action
The Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disability.
People who have used drugs, have performed sex work, people of color, women, members of the LGBTQ+ communities, those who have experienced housing insecurity, people who have received harm reduction services, and people living with HIV/AIDS and/or hepatitis C are strongly encouraged to apply.
Physical Requirements
This job is a sedentary job, as defined by the Social Security Administration, CFR. CFR § 404.1567. Physical exertion requirements:
(a) Sedentary work. Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally, and other sedentary criteria are met.
Disclaimer
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by the immediate supervisor and other management as required. Management reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, functions, and requirements.